©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Agenda
• Sikhs in America • Values and Beliefs• September 11, 2001 • Articles of Sikh Faith• Understanding a Sikh Turban • Airport Security Procedures • FAA Policies• Questions
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Sikhs in America
• World’s 5th largest religion, and over 500 years old
• 22 million followers worldwide
• One million Sikhs live in North America
• Sikhs have lived in America for over 100 years
• Sikhism is a distinct religion, not Hinduism or Islam
• People who wear turbans in the US are Sikhs
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Sikhs Believe in:
• The US Constitution, and American freedoms & values
• Defending civil liberties and protecting the defenseless against injustice
• Tolerance and absolute equality of all peoplewithout regard to gender, race, caste, or religion
• One God, common to all
• High integrity, hard work, humility and service tohumanity
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Sikhs DO NOT Believe In
• Sikhs do not believe in terrorism or hurting innocent people
• Sikhs do not believe in hate or racial profiling• Sikhs do not believe in holy wars or crusades• Sikhs do not believe that their religion is
superior to others
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Tragedy of September 11th
• Sikhs grieve with America. Like many Americans, Sikhs lost friends, loved ones and colleagues
• Sikhs unequivocally condemn all terrorist attacks
• At the WTC, Sikh doctors were first on the scene, helping to save many lives
• Sikhs continue to donate blood, food, and money, and participate in memorial services
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Victims of September 11th
• Victims: Sikhs have been victims of a hate backlash and harassment because of their distinctive appearance
• Profiling: Sikhs have been victims of racial profiling at airports & on highways
• Discrimination: Harassment, racial profiling and employment discrimination is making it much harder for Sikhs to wear turbans and other articles of faith -a basic Constitutional right
Mr. Balbir Sodhi was
killed in Arizona
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Articles of Sikh Faith
• Kesh - uncut hair: Sikhs do not cut hair or beards to remain in the image that God gave us.
• Kuchha – under-shorts (boxers) to represent modesty and fidelity
• Kanga - comb, made of wood - to keep uncut hair neat and clean
• Kara - bracelet, made of steel worn on right hand – a reminder of noble actions, a symbol of eternity
• Kirpan - ceremonial small blunt sword symbolizing freedom, liberty and justice
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Sikh Turban
• Covers long, uncut hair• Approximately 15 feet of cloth
wrapped neatly around the head every time it is put on
• Symbolizes discipline, integrity, humility, and spirituality
• Religious requirement - Must be worn at all times in public
• Mideast headcoverings are different • 99% of people with turbans in US
are Sikhs not Muslims or Hindus
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Kirpan
• Represents Sikh duty to uphold justice, symbolizes courage, willingness to sacrifice for freedom
• Sikhs are very concerned with safety and security and are willing to check in their kirpans before traveling
• If you see a kirpan at a security check point please handle it with respect, as it is an important religious symbol
• Please treat as an accidental oversight -occasionally Sikhs may forget that they have it with them
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Sikhs Support FAA Policies
• Sikhs ask for equal treatment under the law • Airport personnel must observe FAA policies • FAA policy states that a turban removal should
only be a last resort. Procedures are as follows:– If randomly selected for additional screening, use
handheld metal detector – If handheld metal detector is triggered at or over
the head, request a manual pat down of the turban – If the manual pat down suggests a prohibited item
is concealed, request Sikh to remove turban as a last resort
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Handling a Turban with Care
• Sikhs feel severely humiliated if asked to remove their turban in public, as this breaks a sacred covenant with God and exposes an intimate part of the body
• If turban removal is required, provide a clean private area with lighting and a mirror
• Treat the turban with respect and don’t allow it to fall or be placed on floor.
• Allow at least 10 minutes for the turban to be retied in a private place
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
FAA Policies
• Profiling is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause,Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Fourth Amendment and other federal, state and local provisions
• Use the “but/for” test to determine the justification for your actions
• Ask yourself, But for this person’s perceived race, ethnic heritage or religious orientation, would I have subjected this individual to additional safety or security scrutiny?
• If the answer is “NO,” then the action violates civil rights laws
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Airport Security Sensitivity
• Sikhs wholeheartedly support the need for heightened national security
• Turbans are a mandatory part of Sikh faith• It is very insulting and disrespectful to a Sikh
to remove his or her turban • Turban removal is a partial strip search• A turban is not a hat. It cannot be casually
taken on and off. It must be carefully retied each time it is removed
• Please treat the turban with utmost respect
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Summary
• Sikhs strongly condemn terrorism• Sikhs are law-abiding US citizens, with strong
values of justice, equality and liberty for all• Sikhs wear turbans and beards as a
mandatory requirement of their faith• Sikhs support FAA security measures• Sikhs deserve and expect equal treatment
under the law• Questions?
©2001, Sikh Communications Council
Thank You!
Sikh Communications Council may be reached at
650-473-9272
The Sikh Communications Council Thanks Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) and others
for their contributions to this presentation